CT Green Scene

Easy CFL Recycling

By Elizabeth G. Howard

OK, as good and decent greens, we try our hardest to hate the BIG BOX STORES that swallow up our open spaces and cause massive globalization and needless consumerism.

However, occasionally they do something useful that I encourage. In June of 2008, Home Depot, the nation's second largest retailer (behind guess who) launched a nationwide CFL recycling program at their stores.

Unlike other ridiculously complicated and antiquated Connecticut recycling programs, there are no restrictions on the return of CFLs to Home Depot, except that they must not be broken.

The program has been in effect for over 6 months, but it isn't likely to see a huge impact until 2009, since CFLs (which last a long time!) were not widely available or in use before 2008.

True Colors?

I am sure there are heaps of people who might argue that anything a BIG BOX STORE does to seem environmental is "greenwashing," however I feel that we can draw the line with a free recycling program. After all, customers do not need to buy anything from the store in order to leave their bulbs at customer service.

I am following up on what happens to the recycled CFLs after they leave the store and I'll let you know. Meanwhile, tell me what you think? Home Depot's recycling program another corporate evil, or useful community service?

A Hybrid GRILL?

By Sherwood Martinelli

Everyone and their brother wants to be GREEN, and companies are willing to spend big bucks to Green Wash their environmental sins away. Question is, when is GREEN not green, and do we need a Green Police?

Attempting to cash in on the Green HYBRID craze sweeping the nation we have Kalamazo Gourmet trying to sell us...drum roll please...the Hybrid Grill! It will burn gas, wood, charcoal OR ALL THREE for the GREEN Gourmet cook in your household! Ignoring the pollution and sustainability issue in building this BEHEMOTH grill, you have to love their thinking. Seems relying on JUST WOOD and CHARCOAL could put a huge strain on our forests, thus the Hybrid Grill. Spread your pollution around by using a little bit from all three Fuel Groups!

Of course, that Green Thinking starts to smell like swamp gas when you read their sales pitch that you can use the gas for EVEN HEAT, while at the same time burning wood for the FLAVOR! Solar Grills, you have my attention, but trying to convince the American consumer that a grill that burns gas, charcoal and wood should be considered the new Green Hybrid Grill is bogus! This grill ranks right up there with Arnold's GREEN HUMMER!